The compliments have come rushing in for the Sierra High football team and its defensive leader, Trevon McCray. He's been called "the best player on the field" by Ripon coach Chris Johnson following the Timberwolves' season-opening 54-7 victory. Teammates often refer to the middle linebacker as an "animal" for his tenacious play on Friday evenings.

The Manteca freshmen embarked on a 16-play, six-minute drive late in the fourth quarter Thursday capped by a 1-yard scoring plunge by Michael Frisby to defeat Central Catholic 14-13 in the Valley Oak League opener at Guss Schmiedt Field.